The Washington critic., 1887-02-02
A CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC.

his dream of the future, and that he
believes this to be "the settled convic.
ton of the American people" ." at is
the manifest destiny" he continues
1.-The inevitable tendency of our politi
cal forces; It is their only safety
lie then points out the wisdom of
establishing relations Of International
friendship with our Canadian neigh
bors on the North, and our Spanish
neighbors on the South, and of not
permitting "the machiuatlons of Great
Britain to fomcnt disturbances that will
defer such alliance or render 1t impos.
siblr.'
With the Scnator's general forecast,
there is no doubt, u substantial agree.
ment on the part Of all whe have care.
fully considered the subject and noted
the evangelizing influence that Repub-
lican institutions, founded by the wis.
dom of the fathers, have already had
in the dissemination of free principles
and the development of sclf'goyerning
commonwcalths. The same influence
in the course Of generations may effect
the incorporation Of these common
weallhs, one by one, with the parent
government The child is probably
now living who will see the beginning
Of the absorption, extending in each di
rection and resulting in the annexa-
ton both of Mexico and Canada, or at
least, their immediate contiguous ter
ritory.
Anything In the nature of forcing
process TO the eiIectuation of these re-
suits is, however, not to be encouraged.
The Continental republic" of which
the Kansas Senator dreams Is only to
be desired, If at all. when the interests
and sympathies of our outlying neigh
bors have become so thoroughly Amer
icanized that the lack Of homogeneity
of race shall no longer stand as bar
rier in the way of more perfect
union under one Constitution.
To the end that this union may
eventually become possible, Mr.. ingalls,
suggests, as the most effective means,
the establishment of closer relations
with the various nations and peoples
Interested The chief purpose of the
proposed Permanent Exposition is to
bring us into nearer contact with their
markets and thereby illustrate the mu.
tual advantages to accrue from com
mercial alliances that have too long
been neglected. There is nothing that
tends so rapidly and surely towards
making friends out of strangers as
reciprocity of trade added TO cbmnu-
nifty of sentiment.
So far as our neighbors in the South
are concerned, the problem will grad
ually work itself out. The Canadian
question presents difficulties and threat.
ems complications that will demand the
highest order of craftsmanship to deal
with successfully.
The AnneXationists of the Dominion
are few in number as compared with
the large and heterogeneous popula.
tlon, unsuited by education, tradition OF
natural aptitude to be congenial or
profitable partners with us. Even were
Canada ready TO renounce at once her
allegiance to the British Crown and
accept American statehood, 1t will not
be consummation to be wished. AT
the risk of an embodiment with Eng.
land it were unwise, and, excepting on
the gravest provocation, indefenslble,
The time is not yet ripe for either
Canadian annexation or conquest.
A government which is not in con,
di.ion to take care of its own family i:
certainly not in proper condition to
make additions TO Its family. So long
as the coasts we already possess lie un.
defended, what would be the advantage
of acquiring more coast line? If We
cannot defend New York aud San
Francisco against attack, how should
we be able to hold Halifax or Panama
Nothing could be source of greater
weakness than to annex territory as de
fenseless as our own.
The dream OF Mr.. ingalls, Is not a
disordered fancy ; 1t is n thoroughly
logical conception, but the opportunity
is not yet. The realization is contin'
gency dependent upon too many condl
tions to be hoped for or expected in the
early future. Not until the United
States, by sagaclous policy of nava
reconstruction aud coast dofenses foi
protection against invasion-by com
mercial reforms and friendly interna
tlonal conventions for the creation of t
strong and enduring community OF
American scntiment-shall be enabled
TO take and maintain her own position
as against all other powers, Is 1t worth
our while to more than dream Of tbs
coming Continental republic